Fender (company)
Formerly
Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company
1946 in Fullerton, California, U.S.
Worldwide
- Current: Electric, acoustic, & classical guitars, acoustic and electric basses, ukuleles, amplifiers, effects units[3][4]
Servco Pacific
The Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC, or simply Fender) is an American manufacturer and marketer of musical instruments and amplifiers. Fender produces acoustic guitars, bass amplifiers and public address equipment; however, it is best known for its solid-body electric guitars and bass guitars, particularly the Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jaguar, Jazzmaster, Precision Bass, and the Jazz Bass. The company was founded in Fullerton, California, by Clarence Leonidas "Leo" Fender in 1946.[6][7] Andy Mooney has served as the chief executive officer (CEO) since June 2015.
In January 2020, Servco Pacific became the majority owner after acquiring the shares of TPG Growth.[8]
History[edit]
Origins[edit]
The company began as "Fender's Radio Service" in late 1938, in Fullerton, California. As a qualified electronics technician, Fender had repaired radios, phonographs, home audio amplifiers, public address systems and musical instrument amplifiers, all designs based on research developed and released to the public domain by Western Electric in the 1930s, using vacuum tubes for amplification. The business also sidelined in carrying records for sale and the rental of company-designed PA systems. Leo became intrigued by design flaws in contemporary musical instrument amplifiers and began building amplifiers based on his own designs or modifications to designs.
Acquisitions and partnerships[edit]
FMIC has purchased a number of instrument brands and firms, including the Guild Guitar Company, the Sunn Amplifier Company, and SWR Sound Corporation. In early 2003, FMIC reached an agreement with the Gretsch family and began manufacturing and distributing new Gretsch guitars. Fender also owns Jackson, Olympia, Orpheum, Tacoma Guitars, Squier, and Brand X amps.
On October 28, 2007, Fender acquired Kaman Music Corporation, which owned the Ovation Guitar Company, Latin Percussion and Toca hand percussion products, Gibraltar Hardware, Genz Benz Amplification, Charvel, Hamer Guitars, and is the exclusive U.S. sales representative for Sabian Cymbals and exclusive worldwide distributor of Takamine Guitars and Gretsch Drums.
In 2011, Volkswagen partnered with Fender to manufacture premium sound systems for its vehicles in North America.[19] Volkswagen vehicles in North America that offer optional Fender Premium Sound are the Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Beetle, Volkswagen Jetta Sedan, Volkswagen Passat, and Volkswagen Tiguan.
In February 2015, KMC was sold to Jam Industries[20] by FMIC.[21]
In January 2019, Fender purchased the Bigsby Electric Guitar Company from its partner Gretsch.The subsidiary operates independently, and produces the popular Bigsby vibrato tailpiece as well as several Paul Bigsby-designed electric guitars.[22]
In November 2021, Fender purchased the Louisiana-based PreSonus Audio Electronics, a manufacturer of professional audio equipment and software.[23]
In June 2023, it announced a partnership with Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine (band).[24]
Publications[edit]
Fender Frontline[edit]
Fender published the Fender Frontline magazine as a source of product, artist and technical data for the company's customers.[25] The first half featured interviews and articles about the guitars and the stars who played them, and the second half was a catalog section.[26]
Fender published 27 issues of the magazine from 1990 through 2000.[26] Notable interviewees included Kurt Cobain in Fall 1994, in what was his last interview.[27] Fender had designed a hybrid guitar for Cobain, known as a Jag Stang.[28][27] Other notable interviews featured Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour,[29] Glenn Hughes from Deep Purple,[30] and King Crimson's Adrian Belew.[31]
In 2001, Fender eliminated the interviews and features section, and Frontline became an annual illustrated price list until 2006, when it was replaced with a product guide.[26]
